On the forward cone quantization of the Dirac field in "longitudinal boost-invariant" coordinates with cylindrical symmetry

Abstract

We obtain a complete set of free-field solutions of the Dirac equation in a (longitudinal) boost-invariant geometry with azimuthal symmetry and use these solutions to perform the canonical quantization of a free Dirac field of mass $M$. This coordinate system which uses the 1+1 dimensional fluid rapidity $\eta = 1/2 \ln [(t-z)/(t+z)]$ and the fluid proper time $\tau = (t^2-z^2)^{1/2}$ is relevant for understanding particle production of quarks and antiquarks following an ultrarelativistic collision of heavy ions, as it incorporates the (approximate) longitudinal "boost invariance" of the distribution of outgoing particles. We compare two approaches to solving the Dirac equation in curvilinear coordinates, one directly using Vierbeins, and one using a "diagonal" Vierbein representation.